American football player and coach (1939–2011)
Eugene Vincent Murphy (August 6, 1939 – October 29, 2011) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of North Dakota from 1978 to 1979 and at California State University, Fullerton from 1980 to 1992, compiling a career college football coaching record 74–96–1.
Early years
Born and raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey , Murphy's father was a football coach.[ 1] quarterback and shortstop in high school.[ 2] University of Minnesota , then transferred to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks , and played college football as a quarterback for the UND Fighting Sioux from 1960 to 1962.[ 2] [ 3]
Coaching
Murphy then moved into an assistant coaching position with the team, where he remained until 1977.[ 4] [ 3] North Central Conference and advancing to the Division II playoffs in 1979 .[ 3] [ 4] Pat Behrns .[ 1]
In 1980 , Murphy became head coach at California State University, Fullerton in Orange County .[ 3] Titans for thirteen years and was their final coach; the program was discontinued after the 1992 season.[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] Pacific Coast Athletic Association championships in 1983 and 1984 .[ 5] [ 8] ranked in the National Top 20 and finished 12-0.[ 5]
His assistants included future National Football League (NFL) head coaches Steve Mariucci , Tom Cable , and Hue Jackson .[ 3] [ 5] [ 9] Damon Allen , Mike Pringle , Bobby Kemp , Mark Collins , and James Thornton .[ 9] [ 4] [ 8]
After Cal State Fullerton dropped its football program, Murphy served as head coach at Fullerton College from 1993 to 2007.[ 4] [ 8] [ 3] [ 9]
Death
Murphy died at age 72 in 2011 at USC Hospital in Los Angeles , four days after surgery for esophageal cancer .[ 5] [ 8] [ 9] [ 1] [ 5] Fullerton at Loma Vista Memorial Park.[ 10]
Head coaching record
College
Junior college
Year
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Bowl/playoffs
CCCAA#
Fullerton Hornets (Mission Conference ) (1993–2007)
1993
Fullerton
3–7
0–5
6th (Central)
1994
Fullerton
7–3–1
5–1
2nd (Central)
W Western State K-Swiss Bowl23
1995
Fullerton
4–5–1
4–2
T–2nd (Central)
1996
Fullerton
5–5
3–3
T–4th (Central)
1997
Fullerton
5–5
3–3
T–4th (Central)
1998
Fullerton
3–7
2–3
T–3rd (Central)
1999
Fullerton
3–7
2–3
T–3rd (Central)
2000
Fullerton
4–6
3–2
2nd (Central)
2001
Fullerton
6–5
3–2
3rd (Central)
L US Bank Beach Bowl
2002
Fullerton
3–7
1–4
5th (Central)
2003
Fullerton
10–3
5–0
1st (National)
W US Bank Beach Bowl, L CCCAA National Championship
2004
Fullerton
7–4
2–3
T–3rd (National)
W Golden Empire Bowl
2005
Fullerton
8–3
3–2
3rd (American)
L Golden Empire Bowl
2006
Fullerton
5–5
3–2
3rd (American)
2007
Fullerton
7–3
2–2
4th (American)
W Orange County Bowl
Fullerton:
80–75–2
41–37
Total: 80–75–2
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth
References
^ a b c Lee, Steve (October 30, 2011). "From UND to California, everyone knew 'Murph' . Grand Forks Herald . Retrieved June 10, 2020 . ^ a b "Eugene Vincent Murphy" . Home News Tribune . (Somerville, New Jersey). (obituary). November 5, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2017 .^ a b c d e f Hajdu, Jayson (October 31, 2011). "Gene Murphy: 1939-2011" . University of North Dakota Athletics. ^ a b c d "Sioux to wear 'Murph' decals on helmets" . University of North Dakota Athletics. November 3, 2011.^ a b c d e f "Murphy Services Fill Church and Then Some" . Cal State Fullerton Titans . November 7, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2020 .^ "Gene Murphy's law: Former Cal State Fullerton coach had perspective" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 10, 2020 .^ "Gene Murphy | Titan Tribute: Athletics Hall of Fame" . Archived from the original on January 7, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2011 .^ a b c d "Funeral services set for football coach Gene Murphy" . Los Angeles Times . November 1, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2020 .^ a b c d "Former Cal State Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy Dies - Lake Forest, CA Patch" . Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2011 .^ Whicker, Mark (November 7, 2011). "Far-flung farewell for Gene Murphy" . Orange County Register . Retrieved June 10, 2020 .
External links
